§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the IDB has taken following the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland into the selective financial assistance criteria employed by the IDB to improve the assessment of the employment potential of projects.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland reported to the House of Commons earlier this year on the application by the Industrial Development Board of its selective financial assistance criteria. This report was the basis of an examination by the Committee of Public Accounts which published its report, containing a number of recommendations, on 22 July 1993. A formal memorandum of reply to the Committee's report will be issued by the Department of Finance and Personnel in early autumn.
§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the implementation of the Industrial Development Board's forward strategy for 1991 to 1993; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Industrial Development Board has reported on the implementation of forward strategy in its annual reports for 1990–91 and 1991–92. A further update will be given in the report of 1992–93 to appear in the autumn. IDB officials report to me on their activities and I have regular meetings with the board's chairman. The board's activities are subject to regular policy evaluation and review.
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